Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Applied Physics, Master of Science


Academic Information

This plan provides a strong core of applied physics as well as essential research skills, and prepares you for technical employment in high-technology industries, research institutes, or college teaching, as well as for further professional study in various fields of applied physics. This plan can be interdisciplinary, integrating a broad range of subject areas to enhance your opportunities for research, teaching, or careers in the private sector. There is a thesis option in General Physics and a specialization option in Teaching College Physics.

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Applied Physics, Master of Science


Careers

What Can I Do with a Master of Science in Applied Physics?

Are you interested in non-academic, technical employment in the aerospace, defense and high technology industries, government laboratories, and private research institutes? Are you looking for a basic graduate-level scientific foundation, so that you can further your studies even more? Our program is designed to train you in laboratory skills and with computational and computer modeling expertise, develop your competence in the use and design of modern instrumentation, and provide you with a basic foundation in physics. You will have a broad selection of cross-disciplinary course options, such as geology, chemistry, engineering, and mathematics. As a capstone to this coursework, you'll participate in an internship or write a master's thesis through partnerships with government laboratories, private research institutes, and industrial corporations.

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Industrial researcher
  • Community college instructor
  • Telescope operator
  • Planetary scientist
  • University laboratory manager

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Applied Physics, Master of Science


University Requirements

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Applied Physics, Master of Science


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Minimum Units for Completion 30
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Thesis Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Comprehensive Exam Comprehensive Exam may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Research Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study

Purpose Statement

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a two-year master's degree that provides a strong core of applied physics as well as essential research skills, and prepares students for employment in high-technology industries, research institutes, or further academic study in physics. The program is designed to train students in laboratory skills, providing them with computational and computer modeling expertise, developing their competencies in the use and design of modern instrumentation, and providing them with a basic foundation in physics. There are both thesis and coursework options available. These plans can be interdisciplinary, integrating a broad range of subject areas to enhance opportunities in research or the private sector.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students will achieve the following learning outcomes:

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Applied Physics, Master of Science


Details

Graduate Admission Information
Additional Admission Requirements
Master's Requirements
Additional Information
More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Applied Physics, Master of Science


Campus Availability

More Information